Mexico vs Poland: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head

The match will be played in Stadium 974 of Qatar.

On Tuesday, Mexico will face Poland in a significantly major Group C match in the FIFA World Cup 2022. The match will begin at 4 p.m. GMT in Doha, Qatar, at Stadium 974, the first temporary World Cup venue built from 974 recycled shipping containers.

Match preview

Mexico has never moved past the round of 16 in seven World Cups. Ex-Argentina coach & player Gerardo Martino is in charge of El Tri and must end the trend in Qatar. The 60-year-old, who spent a year in Barcelona before joining Argentina in 2014, led Mexico to their ninth Gold Cup title in 2019. In 2021, the U.S. gained revenge.

Mexico qualified for the World Cup with a 2-0 win over El Salvador on the penultimate matchday, tying Canada for first in CONCACAF and finishing three points ahead of Costa Rica in the play-off spot. It remains to be seen if they have the quality to make it to the last eight for the first time since hosting in 1986, but their upcoming match against Poland could be key.

Poland's opening encounter against Argentina, the apparent second favourite, will be crucial if they want to advance past the group stages for the first time since Mexico '86. After failing to place third in 1974 and 1982, the Eagles lost their opening match in 2002, 2006, and 2018 — winning one and losing two.

Former Legia Warslaw manager Czeslaw Michniewicz is now head coach. In a qualifying play-off, he led Poland to a 2-0 win over Sweden to advance to Qatar. Their prospects of success hinge on Robert Lewandowski, who has yet to score at a World Cup after going scoreless in all three 2018 games. However, The 34-year-old is determined to change that record against Mexico on Tuesday, which may put his team in second place in Group C.

Kick off: 09:30 PM (IST), 4 PM (GMT).

Mexico form (all competitions):

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Poland form (all competitions):

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Injury and team news

With 29 goals for Mexico, Raul Jimenez came off the bench at halftime of Wednesday's 2-1 loss to Sweden. The 31-year-old hasn't played for Wolverhampton Wanderers since August owing to a groin injury, making his starting spot against Poland on Tuesday doubtful. Henry Martin is ready to lead the line if Jimenez is only fit for the bench, while Jesus Corona is sidelined with an ankle ailment.

Bartlomiej Dragowski, Jacek Goralski, and Adam Buksa were injured for Poland. Michniewicz kept Lewandowski fresh for the tournament by not using him in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Chile.

Matty Cash, who only made his international debut a year ago after obtaining a Polish passport through his mother's heritage, could brush over a shoulder ailment to be available. However, he faces plenty of competition at right wing-back.

Predicted Line-up

Mexico (4-3-3): Ochoa; Sanchez, Montes, Moreno, Gallardo; Alvarez, Herrera, Guardado; Lozano, Martin, Vega

Poland (3-5-2): Szczesny; Bednarek, Glik, Kiwior; Bereszynski, Krychowiak, Zielinski, Szymanski, Zalewski; Swiderski, Lewandowski

Match Prediction

With Argentina set to dominate Group C and Saudi Arabia substantially inferior, Mexico and Poland will likely battle for second. Defeat would leave an uphill struggle to reach the Round of 16, but victory would likely put the winner one win away from progression. Poland faces Qatar's neighbours in their second group game, so by the time they face Argentina, they may have already secured a knockout spot.

Even if Argentina wins Group C, Mexico and Poland can still advance, and this first encounter could prove crucial. This makes their contest tough to forecast, but other things do too. If styles make fights, these teams are opposites. Mexico dominates possession but scores few goals. Poland scored freely in qualifying when out of possession. Robert Lewandowski will be their standout player, searching for his first World Cup goal.

Mexico has World Cup experience and a history of advancing from their group. Don't be surprised if this game ends in a stalemate with both teams nervous about losing.